Unassuming, But Blessed!

Christian Funeral Service for Geri Woessner                                                                       December 16, 2019
Text: Luke 2:25-32                                                                      19:2164
Theme: Unassuming, But Blessed!

If you could think of one word or picture that best describes Geri, what would it be? What word would you choose? I chose the word “unassuming,” a characteristic I often see in Christians.
Geri was a strong, yet unassuming woman. She didn’t need to be in the limelight, although, ironically, she often was. She was humble, gentle, kind, loving, unpretentious, modest. That was her “unassuming” nature. She was inconspicuous to the world, except that she was a rather tall woman. She was tall alright – in more ways than one in my eyes.
I have many fond memories of her and you, Bob, on the lake – at church picnics or helping my girls learn to ski; memories in Bible class – she could ask questions I wasn’t sure how to answer; so many good memories going back over 25 years of knowing her.
But the greatest memory I will hold took place in these later times when we would celebrate the Lord’s Supper. Towards the end she could not come to the altar anymore, but sat in her wheelchair, in the narthex, patiently waiting till everyone had received our Lord’s Body and Blood for their forgiveness. I would go out to her there, break off a tiny piece from a communion wafer and give her a little sip of wine. She couldn’t swallow any more than that. But she wanted to receive the Sacrament. You should have seen her face after receiving this gift from her Savior. And she never failed to mouth the words, “Thank you,” with a happy smile on her face.
That is imprinted in my heart forever – God’s redeemed child, humbly, joyfully receiving promised forgiveness and life from her Savior. You can’t beat such experiences like that which God so graciously gives us who are ministers of the Gospel. How proud you can be of her faith in Christ. But proud?… Geri wasn’t, not in a bad way. Strong? Yes. But gentle, unpretentious, unassuming. That’s how my friend Geri will always appear in my mind.
She relied on the Lord. She did not want the attention; she wanted Him to receive it. That is what the unassuming children of God desire. In such a life of faith, they are blessed, and we are enriched by Christ through them.

I. Isn’t that the way it was for those at that first Christmas. They were unassuming people. In fact, they were unknowns to the world. That’s what the humble people of God usually are, relative “unknowns” and unassuming.
For example, think of the people of Christmas, those who were there those special days at Christ’s birth. Many are hidden in obscurity. How much do you really know about the angels, the shepherds, the Wise Men, Joseph, even Mary? And we know almost nothing about the man in our text – Simeon. How old was he? What did he do for a living? There are so many unanswered questions about him. He, too, was unassuming. That’s the way it is with God’s people, Unassuming, but, oh, how Blessed they are!
Look at Simeon. He steps forward, takes the Christ-child in his arms, and, to the astonishment of the young parents, declares: “Master, Lord, You have kept Your promise. You are letting me go free in peace. For with my own eyes, I have now seen Your salvation, which You have prepared before the face of all people.”
Beautiful words of faith, from an unassuming believer. We have no idea who Simeon was. But he was not unknown to God. Rather, he was blessed as God opened his eyes to see this child for whom He was – the Savior – and he did not want to let go.
It’s what Simeon had longed for, a Savior, because in his unassuming life he knew how desperately he needed him. Simeon may have been an unassuming gentleman, he may have been a humble man with a big heart, like Geri, who reached out to help others in their need – a good person. But being a good person is not enough to save anyone for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Ro.3:23). Sin condemns us before God; it separates us from Him (Is.59:2). It’s the reason we are here today for “the wages of sin is death” (Ro.6:23). There’s no getting around it for anyone. But in His mercy and redeeming love God changed it.
He sent His Son into this world to live, to die, and to rise again to pay for sin and overcome it in our lives. That’s what makes Christmas such a happy, blessed time for the humble, unassuming believer who sees what this Child is. He’s much more than a cute baby in a manger. He’s the Son of God, Immanuel, come to save us from sin. “My eyes have seen Him!” Simeon cried with joy.
Sadly, not everyone’s eyes see the Lord Jesus for what He is – our Help, our Savior. Geri’s unassuming eyes did and how blessed she is as a result, for now she sees Him in a grander way, face to face. Oh, what joy is hers this Christmas! What a gift from God!
If we who are left behind see Christ Jesus this way, too, as Savior, then we shall be comforted and content today, even in this time of grief. For we know that the Savior has taken care of everything for our friend, and will help us on our way, too. We walk forward saying: “My eyes have seen Him; my eyes have seen Your salvation, O Lord.” He will bless us with hearts at rest. That’s what He gives to all who embrace Him in faith – rest for the soul

II. Simeon said it this way: “Lord, as you have promised, You are letting me, Your servant, go in peace.”
He was ready to leave this world at peace with God, free of sin’s curse. He didn’t need to wonder what lay on the other side of death’s door; he didn’t need to worry about the eternal consequences of sin; he didn’t need to be anxious about the cares and worries of the day. He had seen God’s answer to sin and every challenge in life, and the Holy Spirit worked that faith in him to receive it. Truly, Simeon was blessed. Only one thing awaited him – heaven’s glory. His greatest wish was about to be fulfilled.
What’s your greatest wish? What was Geri’s? After the years of sickness, her greatest wish was to be rid of it and be with the Savior. Oh, she loved you, Bob, no question about it! She loved you, family, and friends, and was so thankful for all of you. But no one could replace her Savior. And now she is with Him, united with others who in faith went before her. She goes in peace, with words that are always upon the unassuming believer’s lips.
Of those already there, God says, “They are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple. He who sits on the throne spreads His tent over them. Never again will they hunger, never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Rv.7:15).
At the Savior’s side with eyes that now see Him as He is! How blessed this Christmas! No greater gift is ever bestowed – at peace with God….forever! God grant us one day the same blessing in faith; for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Christian Funeral Service for  Geri Woessner
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Springfield, Missouri
Monday, December 16, 2019

This brief order of worship is intended for the funeral service of one departing this life in the Christian faith. With the Word of God, the Christian Church comforts the bereaved family and friends and confesses its lasting hope in the resurrection of the dead in Christ. In Him, the Savior whose birth we soon will celebrate, we find joy even in the hour of sadness.

Pre-service Music

Remembrance of Geri – a poem read by grandson Christopher

Hymn: “Lord, Tis Not that I Did Choose You” 380

The Order of Service
A Portion of Psalm 46

The Greeting – Prayer – Psalm 23 Hymnal pg.144

Hymn: “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” 411

Resurrection Comfort (read responsively) Hymnal pg.145

Scripture Lessons: (Selections picked by Geri for this service)
1 Timothy 2:4 – God wants all to be saved.
Ezekiel 33:11 – God takes no pleasure in people perishing.
2 Peter 3:9 – God is patient, wanting all to come to Him in faith.
Matthew 25:40 – Serving others is service to the Lord Jesus Himself
3 John 4 – What a joy to see God’s children walking in faith!

Hymn: “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less” 382

The Sermon: “Unassuming, But Blessed!” Luke 2:25-32
The Confession of Faith: The Apostles’ Creed Hymnal pg.146

Prayer – The Lord’s Prayer – The Benediction

The Closing Hymn: “I Know My Redeemer Lives” st.1,5-8 152

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Pallbearers:
Robert G. Woessner Christopher Woessner
David Woessner Matthew Chason
Steven Woessner Nathan Lacey
Justin Lacey

The Organist: Jane Rips The Minister: Pastor Edwin Lehmann

After glorifying God for the saving mercies He has shown to His servant now fallen asleep in Jesus, we leave comforted and strengthened by God’s Word. In faith we await the time He gathers each believer in His arms to His heavenly home and reunites us with our loved ones who passed this life through faith in Him.
Immediately following the service, a brief graveside service will be held at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery near Lake Springfield. Following the cemetery time, family and friends are invited to return to the church for a meal prepared by Zion’s members. We thank them for the opportunity of such fellowship on this occasion.
Thank you for coming today. May Christ be glorified in all that we say and do. May He grant you safe travels on your way home.

They are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple. He who sits on the throne will spread His tent over them. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their Shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Revelation 7:15-17

Geri Woessner

Geraldine Woessner,76, entered the Church Triumphant, Saturday, December 7, 2019 while at home, as she wished it to be. She was born June 22, 1943, in Milwaukee, WI, to Glenn and Aurelia (Giese) Golden. (Some of our long-time members at Zion may remember Aurelia. She lived with Geri and Bob during her last few years on earth and passed this life to the Church Triumphant, ahead of her daughter, November 20, 1999.)
Geri was given new birth in her Lord when she entered the Lord’s Kingdom of Grace through the washing of Holy Baptism in July of 1943, at St. Jacobi Evangelical Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, WI. (Jacobi is the German language’s form of the name James).
After catechism instruction, Geri was confirmed at the age of 13 in June of 1957, again at St. Jacobi Lutheran Church. Almost 6 years later, on May 11, 1963, Geri was joined in marriage to her life-long partner, confidant, friend, and fellow water enthusiast, Robert Woessner – again at St. Jacobi. So it was that in May this past year, Geri and Bob celebrated 56 years of God’s blessings in their married life together.
Although through their camping and vacation trips to their property on Table Rock Lake since the 1970s, Geri and Bob often worshipped at Zion, they did not become members here until Bob’s retirement in 1994. They have been faithful members ever since. Some summers they invited us to their home for a church picnic, where Geri’s famous “games” (like water balloon toss, egg relay on a spoon in one’s mouth, or raw egg toss (that splattered all over pastor) were normal events. Every year she devised something new to enjoy at our picnics. For many years she also served as Sunday school teacher for the little ones. But we could never get her to join the choir. In Christ she loved all and was loved by all
“Well done thou faithful servant to family and the Kingdom,” the Lord has now said. “Enter the eternal inheritance prepared for you and all who believe in Christ Jesus as their Savior.”
And so we bid God-speed to our member, friend, and dear sister in the faith. It was a long journey through some difficult illnesses at the end. “Farewell,” we say, for a time, but a short time for we shall see our friend again, soon, above. The Lord now graciously takes her to the best place she could possibly be, by His side, where she has longed to be for a while. Such a gift this Christmas time! God grant us all such a blessed life of faith and quiet rest at last.